EU citizens ‘WILL be free to live in Britain after Brexit but will need permits to work under new Home Office immigration plans’

The NHS and benefits rights of new EU workers are not clear - but four-year “waiting period” for benefits has been suggested

By Sam Webb

17th August 2017,1:11 am

Updated: 17th August 2017,12:01 pm

EU CITIZENS will still be able to travel to and live in Britain after Brexit under new immigration plans, it has been reported.

The principles of freedom of movement will stay in place for those who want to visit or stay in the UK but a system of permits will limit the number of working migrants under the Home Office proposals.

There would be no extra restrictions on EU citizens travelling to the UK through other ports and airports under the new plans. File picture

It comes as Westminster has been accused of allowing the Northern Irish border to become a “back door” into the UK after ministers admitted that there would be no immigration controls between the north and south of Ireland.

Today The Times reports there would be no extra restrictions on EU citizens travelling to the UK through other ports and airports.

The plans, which have not yet been agreed, would allow EU citizens to come to Britain to try and find work without applying for a visa.

But firms who want to hire EU workers would have to apply for sponsorship permits, and the number of permits allowed would be set by the government.

The NHS and benefits rights of new EU workers are not clear – but four-year “waiting period” for benefits has been suggested.

The government recently published a controversial paper saying it would allow movement across the Irish border, despite Ireland remaining part of the EU.

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The source added that EU citizens entering Ireland would still be subject to passport checks, as in the UK.

This information is shared between London and Dublin.

The position paper says: “When considering the nature of the CTA as a border-free zone, it is important to note that immigration controls are not, and never have been, solely about the ability to prevent and control entry at the UK’s physical border.

“Along with many other member states, controlling access to the labour market and social security have long formed an integral part of the UK’s immigration system.

“The UK is confident that it will be able to: maintain existing movement to the UK from within the CTA without requiring border controls, as now; respect Ireland’s EU free movement obligations; and put in place a new UK immigration system and controls for EEA [European Economic Area] citizens.”

Sir Ed Davey, a Lib Dem former cabinet minister, said: “The Conservatives are finally admitting that there are ways to control free movement by making reforms to our labour market and social security.

“That raises the question: why are they still planning to damage jobs and living standards by
leaving the single market?”

The Brexit-backing Tory MPs Andrew Bridgen and John Redwood supported the government’s plan.

“The main way the government is likely to enforce a new migration policy is through work permits for EU citizens from the continent, whether they enter direct or via the Republic of Ireland,” Mr Redwood said.

Mr Bridgen said there had been a free-travel arrangement between the UK and Ireland since 1922 and he was happy for EU citizens to keep coming to Britain.

“What they won’t be able to do is work or claim benefits,” he added.

Andrew Green, from the pressure group Migration Watch, said: “We have always supported a system of permits for different parts of the economy.”

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